22.    Van Zundert, J.; Brabant, S.; Van de Kelft, E.; Vercruyssen, A.; and Van Buyten, J. P.: Pulsed radiofrequency treatment of the Gasserian ganglion in patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. Pain, 104(3): 449-52, 2003.

Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care, Emergency Medicine and Multidisciplinary Pain Therapy, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Campus Andre Dumont, Stalenstraat 2, 3600 Genk, Belgium. janvanzundert@pandora.be

Pulsed radiofrequency treatment has been described as a minimal invasive alternative to radiofrequency thermocoagulation for the management of chronic pain syndromes. We present here our first five high-risk patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia who were treated with pulsed radiofrequency after multidisciplinary assessment; with a mean follow-up of 19.2 months (range 10-26). These patients were at high risk due to age, co-morbidities or previous interventional and surgical treatments. An excellent long-term effect was achieved in three of the five patients, a partial effect in one patient and a short-term effect in one patient. No neurological side effects or complications were reported.